News

The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned defenseman Shawn Lalonde to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

Lalonde, 20, tied for fifth among Ontario Hockey League defensemen with 56 points (13G, 43A) in 58 regular-season games with the Belleville Bulls. Chicago’s second choice, 68th overall, in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Lalonde led the Bulls in points and ranked second in assists during his fourth season with the club. He also skated in the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic, posting an assist for the Eastern Conference squad.

The Orleans, Ontario, native registered 119 assists, 166 points and 298 penalty minutes in 248 career regular-season games with Belleville (2006-10). Last season, Lalonde ranked second among OHL defensemen with 19 goals and ninth with 53 points in 66 regular-season games with the Bulls. A member of the Eastern Conference team in the 2009 OHL All-Star Game, he held second among Bulls defensemen with 34 assists and placed fourth overall on the club with a +29 plus/minus rating during the 2008-09 regular season.

Lalonde also appeared in 51 career postseason contests with Belleville, racking up 23 points (6G, 17A) and 67 penalty minutes. He helped the Bulls reach the OHL Finals and earn a berth in the 2008 Memorial Cup with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 21 postseason tilts.